Steven Kwan has established himself as a cornerstone for the Cleveland Guardians, but his future with the organization remains uncertain heading into the offseason.
The three-time Gold Glove winner has become a fan favorite through consistent performance at the plate and elite defense in left field.
Kwan is under team control through 2027, entering salary arbitration with a projected $8.8 million salary for 2026.
His value to the roster is clear, yet Cleveland must balance that against payroll considerations and overall roster construction needs.
Insider Joe Noga recently suggested the Guardians could make a surprising move involving their standout outfielder.
“My confidence meter on them signing [Steven Kwan] to an extension is pretty low. My confidence meter on them trading him, if not during the winter meetings, then sometime before the trade deadline in 2026, is pretty high right now,” Noga said.
The Guardians struggled offensively in 2025, hampered by a lineup built around contact hitters that produced limited run production throughout the season.
Kwan’s approach centers on batting average and defensive excellence rather than power, fitting the pattern that created offensive challenges for Cleveland.
Management faces a difficult decision between retaining a proven asset and addressing the team’s need for more impactful offensive production.
Adding a veteran right-handed bat could provide the balance Cleveland needs while keeping payroll under control with their young core.
Kwan reportedly wants to remain in Cleveland long term and hopes to negotiate an extension before reaching free agency in 2028.
However, discussions between the two sides have not progressed significantly.
The Guardians also possess a deep pool of outfield prospects, which increases the likelihood they could move Kwan if the right trade package emerges.
His name circulated in trade rumors at the July 31 deadline, and with two seasons of club control remaining, he fits the timeline when Cleveland has historically traded players without securing extensions.
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